BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. File Photo

BHOLA, Dec 31, 2025 (BSS) - The people of Bhola, an island district in southern Bangladesh, are in deep mourning following the death of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. 

As more than two lakh mourners have arrived in Dhaka from Bhola to pay their final respects to the leader they held dear for her role in fighting for democracy and justice.

Raisul Alam, the Member Secretary of Bhola District BNP, expressed the sorrow, stating, "We have lost a unique and uncompromising leader. Khaleda Zia was not just a political figure; she was a symbol of resistance against tyranny and a staunch advocate for democracy and rights. Her death leaves a void in our hearts and in the political landscape of Bangladesh."

Thousands of people began making their way to the capital. From early Tuesday morning until the next day, residents of Bhola flooded buses, launches, microbuses, and private vehicles, all heading to Dhaka to attend the funeral. According to reports, BNP leaders and activists from the district’s seven upazilas traveled in droves, paying their respects to their beloved leader.

Shajahan Saju, General Secretary of Daulatkhan upazila BNP, said that approximately 40,000 supporters from his constituency made the journey to Dhaka. In Lalmohan upazila, BNP General Secretary Babul Panchayat said that around 50,000 mourners from the area had also set out to join the funeral procession. 

Meanwhile, BNP nominated MP candidate Hafiz Ibrahim from Daulatkhan and Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram from Lalmohan-Tjumuddin also traveled to Dhaka along with large groups of supporters.

In Char Fashion-Monpura, BNP's central leader and Jubo Dal General Secretary Md. Nurul Islam Nayan’s spokesperson, Mannan Miyaji, confirmed that over 500,000 BNP leaders and activists from the area had already left for Dhaka. Together, the mourners from the island district of Bhola created a massive convoy that arrived at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban premises in Dhaka to pay their respects.